Trail Blazers Hosted Media Day at Moda Center
The Portland franchise kicked off the season with an opening address and a look at the current roster.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Basketball
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The Portland Trail Blazers held their NBA media day on Monday at the Moda Center. The event featured a state-of-the-business report followed by player and coach availability.
Why it matters
The event provided the first look at a roster featuring four point guards under the guidance of new head coach Micah Nori. Key player updates and looming contract deadlines remain central to the team's outlook.
The roster features four point guards, including Damian Lillard and Ja Morant. Head coach Micah Nori is tasked with managing this talent distribution.
The players
Damian Lillard
He is a veteran point guard returning to the court after recovering from an Achilles injury.
Ja Morant
He is a point guard making his second public appearance as a member of the Trail Blazers.
Micah Nori
He serves as the new head coach responsible for managing the team's roster composition.
Scoot Henderson
He is a 23-year-old guard facing an upcoming rookie-scale contract extension deadline.
Dewayne Hankins
He is a team executive who delivered the state-of-the-business report at the event.
The details
Dewayne Hankins opened the session by presenting a report on the state of the business. The team also addressed the return of Damian Lillard following his left Achilles injury from May 2025 and the second public appearance of Ja Morant.
Timeline
Monday, September 28, 2026, at 9 a.m. PT
May 2025: Damian Lillard sustains a left Achilles injury
October 19, 2026: Scoot Henderson contract extension deadline
December 2026: Arena lease negotiation deadline
The Big Picture
The team's current personnel decisions are constrained by the NBA rookie-scale contract extension deadline. This regulatory framework forces the organization to finalize long-term commitments for young talent like Scoot Henderson by mid-October.
Scoot Henderson's rookie-scale contract extension must be completed by October 19 to avoid status changes. The team's decision to carry four point guards will necessitate significant rotation adjustments throughout the upcoming season.
The takeaway
The Trail Blazers enter the season with a complex roster and several off-court administrative deadlines. Fans should monitor how the front office balances these financial requirements with the on-court performance of their veteran stars.
What happens next
The front office must address Scoot Henderson's rookie-scale contract extension by October 19, 2026. Additionally, the organization faces a deadline to finalize the arena lease negotiations by December 2026.
Further reading
For more updates on the team's preparations, visit Basketball.
Live Poll
Do you support the Trail Blazers' strategy of carrying four elite point guards on one roster?
